Ivanna Ortiz, the 35-year-old Florida woman charged with attempted murder for allegedly opening fire at Rihanna’s Los Angeles-area home, is slated for a competency hearing next month.
According to court records viewed by Complex, a PC 1368 competency hearing is scheduled for June 2 at Hollywood Courthouse. For those unfamiliar, this type of hearing aims to determine whether a defendant is mentally fit to stand trial. The process of determining a defendant’s competency—in this case, that of Ortiz—leads to a pause in criminal prosecution proceedings until a determination is made.
This report from the Associated Press adds a bit more details, including that a public defender representing Ortiz had expressed concerns over the mental competency of their client during a meeting in Judge Shannon K. Cooley’s chambers this week.
When reached for comment by Complex on Wednesday (May 20), the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that “a doubt was declared,” adding that the next hearing is indeed set for June 2.
Complex has also reached out to Ortiz’s lawyers for additional comment. This story may be updated.
In March, the DA’s office announced that Ortiz, accused of firing a semiautomatic rifle at Rihanna’s home earlier that month, had been charged with one count of attempted murder, plus additional counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper.
“Opening fire in any populated neighborhood is extremely dangerous, puts lives at risk, and will be fully prosecuted,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said at the time. “Thankfully, no one was injured in this shooting, but this careless violence will not be tolerated in our community. Such shooters will find their next destination to be our jails and prisons.”
Both Rihanna and ASAP Rocky were on the property at the time of the shooting, as were their three children. If convicted as charged, Ortiz could face a life sentence. She has pleaded not guilty.
